Fans have blasted Newcastle United over plans for cut price tickets only for pensioners aged over 65.

Women, who become senior citizens at 60, claim the scheme is unfair and sexist and say they should be eligible for the special rates five years earlier.

But the club is refusing to back down and insists only those aged 65 and over can get the cheaper tickets.

Joan Carr, 60, has been a season ticket holder at St James' Park for ten years.

She said she had heard about the concessions and assumed that, as a pensioner, she would be eligible for the #59 saving.

Mrs Carr, of Durham, said: "We had heard a rumour that new rates for senior citizens would be available next season. Naturally, I assumed I would be included in this as I am, according to law, a senior citizen.

"I thought #59 was quite a big saving. But I've just got my ticket through and I couldn't believe it when I saw they had charged me for the full price. I'm very annoyed.

"I called the football club and they said it was just their policy and there was nothing I could do about it. It's very unfair."

Mrs Carr's ticket in the St John's Hall stand costs #392 for a season. Under the concessionary rate it would cost just #333.

She added: "There's five members of my family that have been season ticket holders for years. We're black and white through and through, but the way they are treating us is disgraceful.

"I'm going to keep writing to them until they agree to treat men and women equally."

A spokeswoman for St James' Park said that they were simply following the Fans' Charter and have no say over the rules.

She said: "We've been asked this question already. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do about it.

"Perhaps you should speak to the Premier League, which writes the Fans' Charter. All we're doing is following their recommendations."

But the Premier League insisted that, although they do recommend special rates for pensioners aged 65 and over, the club is not obliged to use them and can change the rates at their own discretion.

Frank Gilmour, chairman of the Independent Newcastle United Football Association, said: "If anyone is retired and living on a pension, they should be entitled to a discount, whether they are 60 or 65.

"I think the club is being very unfair in not giving a discount to women pensioners who are not yet 65. They should extend the scheme to include all senior citizens."

Sunderland FC provide concessions for women aged 60 and over and men aged 65 and over.

A spokeswoman said: " Concessions for senior citizens are based on the legal age that the government recognise this status and provide a state pension for men and women.

" Should the Government change the legal criteria so that men and women achieve this status at the same time the club would review its policy accordingly."

A spokesman for Middlesborough FC confirmed that they use the same policy of discounted season tickets for pensioners aged 65 and over.